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Updated: Aug 24, 2026
Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Modulation of perforin expression in the decidual and peripheral blood cytotoxic lymphocytes in culture
N Strbo1, G Laskarin, V Sotosek
1Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, Croatia.
Problem:
Perforin (P) is a cytolytic molecule located in intracellular granules of cytotoxic lymphocytes both in the peripheral blood and decidua of pregnancy. The aim was to analyze the kinetics of P expression during in vitro culture and modulation of P expression by adherent cells, their supernatants and mitogen (PHA) stimulation.
Method Of Study:
P (intracellular antigen) was detected by flow cytometry in the suspension of first trimester pregnancy peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and decidual lymphocytes (DL).
Results:
A decrease of the percentage of P+ cells was obtained after 1 hr incubation and was prevented by addition of 30% of decidual adherent cells (DAC) or their supernatants. Upregulation of P expression was obtained when, in addition to adherent cells, DL and PBL were stimulated by PHA. DAC present in the culture in physiological concentrations prevent downregulation of P expression.
Conclusion:
DAC located in the vicinity of decidual cytotoxic lymphocytes, owing to their unique ability to produce a wide range of substances on demand, contribute to the high level of P expression in the decidua of pregnancy.
